Qassem: Lebanon should not follow US orders to disarm Hezbollah

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem on Tuesday criticized the United States for attempting to pressure Lebanon into making concessions to 'Israel' without offering any guarantees in return.

"America... is putting pressure on the government to make concessions without any reciprocal commitments or guarantees... and wants to give Israel free rein," Qassem said on Hezbollah’s al-Manar television. He added, "The government's role is not to listen to American diktats and begin implementing them."

Washington has been pushing Lebanon to cut off Hezbollah’s funding sources and urging the government to disarm the group. A US Treasury delegation met with Lebanese officials over the weekend, delivering what one source described as a “clear and firm” message on halting Iranian funding to Hezbollah.

Deputy Director for Counter-Terrorism John Hurley told journalists that the administration is “very serious about cutting off Iran’s funding” to Hezbollah, which he said has received over USD 1 billion from Tehran since January.

Hezbollah was significantly weakened in its last war with 'Israel', which ended in a November 2024 ceasefire. Despite this, 'Israeli' strikes have continued at a lower intensity. Following the conflict, the group lost its longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah to assassination and much of its military infrastructure was destroyed.

Still, Hezbollah has refused to disarm, maintaining that its weapons are a source of strength and resolve. "We will not give up our weapons, which give us strength and determination," Qassem reiterated.